Dampening Pile Guide

ABSTRACT

A dampening piling guide comprising a first frame, a second frame, and resilient member interposed thereinbetween. The first frame has at least one continuous first surface on a horizontal plane and is constructed and arranged for attachment about a piling. At least two roller brackets are positioned about the first frame&#39;s first surface. Each roller bracket includes a roller, and the roller has an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the centerline of a pile. The rollers are also translatable along a piling. The second frame has at least one continuous second surface on a horizontal plane and is constructed and arranged for attachment about a piling. A plurality of resilient members are connected to the first frame first surface and the second frame second surface, whereby the resilient members dampen forces acting on the dampening piling guide.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the marine industry and, more particularly, to a pile guide having dampening members for use with floating docks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floating docks are frequently used in marinas for dockage of watercrafts. A floating dock is a preferred platform because the dock maintains a fixed vertical relationship to the watercraft secured to it, independent of tide or wave action. In areas where the tidal swing is more than three feet, floating docks can be a necessity for use in entry/exit of watercraft. Floating docks frequently are maintained in place with the aid of one or more piles driven into a seabed where the dock is located. Various methods have been used to attach a floating dock to a pile, such as pile guides, rope fasteners, or constructing the floating dock about the pile; the pile guide being most effective in protecting the dock from structural damage as the floating dock is attached to the outer frame of the pile guide.

A pile guide is an attachment to a floating dock that is used in conjunction with an embedded pile which holds the floating dock in place. Generally, the pile guide has a roller guide configuration contained within a roller bracket. The rollers traverse along the outside surface of the pile allowing for vertical movement of the floating dock and pile guide as the water level rises and lowers from tidal forces.

There have been various attempts to provide a pile guide capable of rising and lowering with the tide and wave action. However, there remain several disadvantages associated with most pile guides as they are incapable of dampening the amount of sway on a floating dock platform and minimizing impact on a pile. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,091,203, “Concrete Floating Wharf Structures” discloses a floating dock including a metal flange defining a passage defining means. The passage defining means includes a tube having an inner diameter slightly in excess of the outer diameter of a pile. The passage defining means is fit over the pile or the pile is sunk and built around the tube. The passage defining means is alignable with the pile. Unfortunately, as the floating dock and passage defining means move up and down in response to wave action, the tube inner wall and pile outer surface contact each other, likely causing substantial wear on both parts. Moreover, the floating dock and passage defining means may also become unstable due to wave action, creating a twisting or a moment. A twisting or moment results when a first force is applied on one part of the dock without an equal opposite force directly along the first force's line of action. More specifically, the moment urges a rotation about a given point; that point being the pile.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,307, “Concrete Marine Float and Method of Fabricating Same” provides a floating dock that may be anchored to a piling. The dock is provided with a collar assembly of any suitable configuration which contains a bracket for receiving therethrough the piling. Rollers are interposed between the legs of the bracket and the piling to accommodate the relative motion of the piling with respect to the bracket and thus the dock. The dock is thus adaptable to rise and fall with the tide. Again, the dock may become unstable due to wave action, creating a twisting or a moment and substantial wear on the rollers.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,781, “Floating Piling Attachment Device with Shock Absorbing Capability” discloses a floating tube which is designed to loosely fit over and around a fixed mooring point and which provides one or more attachment grooves for holding an attachment rope, cord, or cable in place. Unfortunately, this device is not attachable to a floating dock and the tube configuration is not suitable for a square pile. Additionally, there is not sufficient surface area on the tube to sufficiently move the tube vertically about the pile as the tide rises. Furthermore, the tube may be effective for gradual changes in tides, but will prove to be less proficient when exposed to wave action.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,644, “Dock and Buoyant Module Adapted to be Connected to a Pile” provides a buoyant module for securing other buoyant structures of a floating dock to a cylindrical pile fixedly mounted in a body of water. The module comprises of an arrangement for connecting the module to other buoyant structures, as well as an upper deck portion and lower buoyant portion. An interior wall arrangement forms a passage that extends between bottom and top surfaces of the buoyant module. The passage has plural sides joined to form plural corners in a horizontal plane. A roller having a horizontally disposed axis is at each corner. Unfortunately, the roller configuration on the corners is not suitable for a square pile. Additionally, severe weather can create forces that will exceed the strength of the buoyant module and can lead to failure.

U.S. Publication No. 2004/0159273 A1, “Dock Stabilizer” discloses a dock stabilizer with a base for attachment about a piling on a dock. A plurality of rollers are attached to the base where the first and third roller (laterally spaced) and the second and fourth roller (laterally spaced) cooperate to equalize a moment arm formed substantially perpendicular to the piling and parallel to the dock. The second and fourth rollers are disposed on a bar for alternating the length of the roller from the base. Unfortunately, this device requires an awkward roller configuration and does not dampen loads due to tides or wave action. Furthermore the amount of leeway the dock is allowed to sway is dependent on the distance the highest roller is from the pile. A short distance from the highest roller to the pile may cause larger waves to swamp a floating dock and submerge the dock temporarily. Additionally, there are several inches of buffer space between the rollers and the pile. The amount of buffer space between the rollers and the pile allows for a certain amount of sway on the floating dock. The sway allowed creates an unstable floating dock. However, if the buffer space between the rollers and pile is reduced, the pile creates substantial wear on the rollers.

While these prior arts may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, these prior arts would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. As a consequence of these aforementioned problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a pile guide capable of dampening the amount of sway on a floating dock platform and minimizing impact on a pile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of this invention is to provide a dampening pile guide for use with floating docks. The device consists of a first frame, a second frame, and a plurality of resilient members interposed thereinbetween the first and second frame. The first frame includes at least one continuous first surface on a horizontal plane and is constructed and arranged for attachment about a piling. At least two roller brackets are positioned about the first surface on the first frame. Each roller bracket includes a roller, and the roller has an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the centerline on a pile, whereby the roller is translatable along the pile. The second frame has at least one continuous second surface on a horizontal plane and is constructed and arranged for attachment about a pile. A plurality of resilient members are connected to the first frame first surface and the second frame second surface, whereby the resilient members dampen forces acting on the dampening piling guide.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a dampening pile guide having rollers translatable about a pile for a smoother transition of the pile guide and floating dock attached thereto as it moves vertically on the pile.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a dampening pile guide whereby the resilient members are constructed of elastomeric material.

It is an additional objective of the present invention to provide a dampening pile guide whereby the resilient members provide sufficient dampening against impact forces due to tide changes, water currents, wave actions, wind actions, and other like actions, or an unstable dock.

It is yet an additional objective of the present invention to provide a dampening pile guide whereby the first and second pile guide frames may be constructed to fit pilings with various cross-sections.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a dampening pile guide having an attachment means to a floating dock.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the first frame of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the first frame of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the second frame of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the second frame of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, wherein like components are numbered consistently throughout, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the dampening pile guide 1, and FIGS. 7-8 illustrate alternative embodiments of the dampening pile guide 1. The dampening pile guide 1 comprises of a first frame 10, second frame 40, and resilient members 60. The first frame 10 defines a first aperture 12 therethrough for the passage of a pile 2. The first frame 10 comprises of four horizontal first surfaces 14. The first frame includes roller brackets 22 and impact members, illustrated herein in a non-limiting embodiment as rollers 24 perpendicularly spaced apart on the four horizontal first surfaces 14. The second frame 40 defines a second aperture 42 therethrough for the passage of a pile 2. The second frame comprises of four horizontal second surfaces 44 in vertical alignment with the first frame 10. The resilient members 60 are interposed in between the first frame 10 and the second frame 40 to dampen the load on the dampening pile guide 1.

In the preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the first frame 10 defines a first aperture 12 for the passage of a pile 2 therethrough. The aperture 12 is sized to permit a pile 2 of rectangular, octagon, or cylindrical cross section. The first frame 10 has four first surfaces 14. The four first surfaces 14 lie on a horizontal plane. Each first surface 14 has an upper face 16 and lower face 18. The four first surfaces 14 are arranged orthogonal to each other and are connected at their terminus 20. At an equilateral distance from the terminus 20 of each first surface 14 an impact member bracket 22 is positioned and attached on the first surface's upper face 16. On each impact member bracket 22 is attached an impact member 24. Each impact member 24 is attached about the impact bracket's endpoints 23. In the preferred embodiment, the impact member is a roller. The rollers 24 have a cylindrical cross-section. Each roller 24 has an axis of rotation 26 whereby each roller rotates about the endpoints 23 of the roller bracket 22. The roller's axis of rotation 26 is substantially perpendicular to the center line 4 of the pile 2 (as shown in FIG. 2). Each roller 24 is tangent to a point or plane on the piling's surface 2. And the rollers 24 are translatable on the pile 2 due to tide, wave action, or the like. The rollers 24 may be constructed of hard rubber, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW), or the like. However, the impact members, or rollers, need not have an axis of rotation or a cylindrical cross-section, so long as the impact member is at least tangent to the outer surface of a pile. It is contemplated that the impact members be any surface capable of absorbing an impact against a pile (e.g., wooden or rubber blocks).

Each first frame surface upper face 16 has a substantially perpendicular sidewall 28 connected. The sidewalls 28 are at the first surface upper face's furthest edge 30, that edge 30 being the furthest away from the pile 2. The sidewalls 28 are positioned orthogonal to each other and extend vertically upward from the first frame first surface's upper face 16. It is contemplated that first frame sidewalls 28 extend vertically downward from the first frame first surface's lower face 18. The roller brackets 22 are also similarly positioned at equidistance from the intersection 32 of the sidewalls 28.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 5-6, the second frame 40 defines a second aperture 42 for the passage of a pile 2 therethrough. It should be noted that two frames may also be nested within one another, that is, sidewalls 28 and 52 extend vertically upward or vertically downward. The second aperture 42 is sized to permit a pile 2 of preferably rectangular, octogon or cylindrical cross section. The second frame 40 has four second surfaces 44. The four second surfaces 44 lie on a horizontal plane. The four second surfaces 44 are arranged orthogonal to each other and connected at their terminus 50. The second frame 40 has an upper face 46 and a lower face 48. Additionally, the second frame 40 includes four second sidewalls 52, each substantially perpendicular to the four second surface 44. The second sidewalls 52 are located on the second surface's lower face 48. Specifically, the second sidewalls 52 are attached to the second surface 44 at the second surface lower face's furthest edge 54, that edge 54 being the edge 54 furthest away from the pile 2. The second sidewalls 52 are positioned orthogonal to each other and extend vertically downward from the second frame second surface's lower face 48. It is contemplated that second frame sidewalls 52 extend vertically upward from the second frame second surface's upper face 46.

The second frame 40 and first frame 10 are in vertical alignment (as shown in FIG. 1-2); more specifically the first aperture and second aperture are in vertical alignment, the first surfaces and second surfaces are in vertical alignment, and the first sidewalls and second sidewalls are in vertical alignment. However, it is contemplated that the second frame aperture may be larger than the first frame aperture. It is also contemplated that the second frame second surfaces may have a larger surface area than the first frame first surfaces, making the second frame larger than the first frame (shown in FIG. 2).

It is contemplated that the first frame 10, second frame 40, first sidewalls 28, second sidewalls 52, and roller brackets 22 are constructed of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cast titanium, polymer plastics, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW), or the like. Additionally, the first frame 10 or second frame 40 need not have to have sidewalls, 28 and 52, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of resilient members 60 are disposed between the first frame 10 and the second frame 40. Specifically, the resilient members 60 are attached to the first frame first surface lower face 18 and the second frame second surface upper face 46. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, a plurality of mount openings 64 for attachment of the resilient members 60 to the second frame 40 and first frame 10 are displaced about the first frame lower surface 18 and the second frame upper surface 46. Any fastening means may be used to mount the resilient members 60 to the first and second frame 10 and 40. Additional mount openings 64 are provided for attachment of more resilient members 60 between the first frame 10 and the second frame 40. The resilient members 60 are constructed of elastomeric material, engineered synthetic rubber, steel, springs, cork, felt, or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the resilient members 60 are constructed of elastomeric material. The elastomeric material provides a dampening effect on the dampening pile guide 1. As the dampening pile guide 1 translates about the pile 2 due to tides, wave action, or otherwise, the resilient members 60 absorb the forces the tide or wave action exert in order to dampen the load on the dampening pile guide 1 and subsequent impact on the pile 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 6, the second frame 40 further includes a plurality of fastener openings 62 along the sidewalls 52. The fastener openings 62 allow floating docks to be attached along the second frame sidewall. It is contemplated that a plurality of fastener openings 62 may be positioned on the first frame sidewall 28 as well as on the first or second horizontal surfaces 14 and 44, respectively. Furthermore, the fastener openings need not have to be positioned on the sidewalls; it is contemplated that the fasteners openings may be positioned on the first or second frame horizontal surfaces.

The dampening pile guide 1 is constructed and arranged to permit a pile 2 to pass therethrough. Pilings have varying cross-sections such as rectangular, square, cylindrical, hexagonal, octagonal etc. Typically, pilings constructed of concrete have a rectangular, square or octagonal cross-section and those pilings constructed of pressure treated wood or steel have a cylindrical cross-section. However, other material selections for pilings have been used such as steel, fiberglass, or composite, and they all have varying cross-sections. The significance of the cross-section of the pile is that it may determine the dampening pile guide configuration regarding the number of first and second surfaces and apertures. For instance, if the pile has a rectangular cross-section, then the dampening pile guide configuration most suitable for this pile is a frame having at least three horizontal surfaces. If the pile has an oval cross-section, then the dampening pile guide configuration most suitable for this pile is a frame having at least one continuous horizontal surface. However, these example configurations should not be held as limiting, as they are just preferred, as a dampening pile guide with one continuous horizontal surface is fully capable of allowing a pile with a rectangular cross section passage therethrough.

Additionally, it should be understood that various permutations may be achieved for the first frame and second frame configuration. The configuration of the first and second frame largely depends on the piling cross-section, as discussed above. The first frame and second frame need not have a corresponding number of surfaces. By way of example, it is contemplated that the first frame may have four horizontal surfaces and the second frame may have one continuous horizontal surface.

Furthermore, the number and position of impact member brackets and impact members are dependent on the selection of the dampening pile guide frame configuration. By way of example, when the pile has a cylindrical cross-section, it is preferred that a frame having at least one continuous horizontal surface be used; with this frame configuration, two impact member brackets and impact members are positioned laterally from each other (discussed later and shown in FIG. 7). However, a frame having four horizontal surfaces and impact member brackets and impact members positioned equidistance from the horizontal surface's terminus is suitable. For instance, if the pile has a rectangular cross-section it is preferred that a frame having at least three horizontal surfaces be used; with this frame configuration it is preferred that at least three impact member brackets and impact members are used. A dampening pile guide frame with three horizontal surfaces typically carries three impact member brackets and impact members positioned at the endpoints of the connecting horizontal surfaces or at equidistance to the terminus of the horizontal surfaces. A dampening pile guide frame with at least four horizontal surfaces carries four roller brackets and rollers positioned perpendicularly from each other. These impact member configurations should not be held as limiting and only illustrative.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, alternative embodiments of the present invention are contemplated. For instance, in FIG. 7 an alternative embodiment of the present invention includes having a first and second frame, 10 and 40, respectively, comprising of one continuous surface, 14 and 44, forming an oval shape on a horizontal plane and each frame having an aperture, 12 and 42, defining therethrough on each frame for the passage of a pile 2. The first frame surface 14 contains at least two impact member brackets 22 laterally spaced apart and having an impact member 24 attached thereto. The impact members 24 are at least tangent to the centerline 4 of the pile 2. The impact members 24 are translatable along the pile 2. As discussed above, the impact members need not have to be rollers, and impact absorbing blocks constructed of various material selections may be used. Another alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, includes a first and second frame, 10 and 40, respectively, having three surfaces, forming a triangle in a horizontal plane and each frame having an aperture, 12 and 42, defining therethrough for the passage of a pile 2. This arrangement contemplates the impact member brackets 22 and impact members 24 to be positioned on the first frame horizontal surfaces 14. It is contemplated that the impact member brackets may be positioned at the endpoints of the triangular configuration. The impact members 24 are at least tangent to the centerline 4 of the pile 2. The impact members 24 are translatable along the pile 2. As discussed above, the impact members need not have to be rollers, and impact absorbing blocks constructed of various material selections may be used.

All other considerations for the alternative embodiments described in FIGS. 7 and 8 above such as material selection, sidewalls, and impact members should be incorporated from the language describing the preferred embodiment in FIGS. 1-6.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A dampening piling guide comprising: a first frame having at least one continuous first surface on a horizontal plane, said first frame constructed and arranged for attachment about a piling; at least two impact member brackets positioned about said at least one continuous first surface, each said impact member bracket including an impact member, wherein each said impact member is translatable along a piling; a second frame having at least one continuous second surface on a horizontal plane, said second frame constructed and arranged for attachment about a piling; and a plurality of resilient members connected to said first frame at least one continuous first surface and said second frame at least one continuous second surface, whereby said resilient members dampen forces acting on said dampening piling guide.
 2. The dampening piling guide according to claim 1, wherein said resilient members are connected to a first surface's lower face of said first frame and said a second surface's upper face of said second frame.
 3. The dampening piling guide according to claim 1, wherein said resilient members are elastomeric.
 4. The dampening piling guide according to claim 1, wherein said impact member is tangent to a piling surface.
 5. The dampening piling guide according to claim 4, wherein said impact member is a roller.
 6. The dampening piling guide according to claim 5, wherein each said roller has an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a centerline on a piling.
 7. The dampening piling guide according to claim 1, wherein said first frame defines a first aperture therethrough for the passage of a pile, and said second frame defines a second aperture therethrough for the passage of a pile.
 8. The dampening piling guide according to claim 1, wherein each said first frame at least one first surface is in vertical alignment with each said second frame at least one second surface.
 9. A dampening piling guide comprising: a first frame having four first surfaces on a horizontal plane, each said first frame surface having endpoints, each said first frame surface joined together at said endpoints of each said first frame first surface, said first frame constructed and arranged for attachment about a piling; four roller brackets positioned at substantially equidistance from said first surface endpoints, each said impact member bracket including an impact member, wherein each said impact member is translatable along a piling; a second frame having four second surfaces on a horizontal plane, said second frame surfaces having endpoints, each said second surface joined together at said endpoints of each said second frame second surface, said second frame constructed and arranged for attachment about a piling; and a plurality of resilient members connected to said first frame first surface and said second frame second surface, whereby said resilient members dampen forces acting on said dampening piling guide.
 10. The dampening piling guide according to claim 9, wherein said resilient members are elastomeric.
 11. The dampening piling guide according to claim 9, wherein said impact member is at least tangent to the piling surface.
 12. The dampening piling guide according to claim 9, wherein said impact member is a roller having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the axis of the piling. 